Budget cuts hit senior nutrition in region

WORCESTER 
Local agencies that operate Meals on Wheels programs are bracing for an expected reduction in the number of meals they can serve to seniors because of the so-called sequestration, which requires across-the-board federal budget cuts.

Erika Kelly, assistant vice president for policy and legislation for the Meals on Wheels Association of America, said the more than 5,000 senior nutrition programs across the country are expected to lose more than $48 million by Sept. 30, the end of the federal government's fiscal 2013. She said her agency was informed two weeks ago that there will be an additional funding reduction, but that figure won't be known until the first week in June.

The projected nutrition program reductions represent 5.6 percent of total funding under the Older Americans Act. But implementation of the cuts over a short period of time makes it feel more like a 16.8 percent cut, she said.

The automatic budget cuts that kicked in March 1 are the result of Congress and the Obama administration's failure 18 months ago to agree on a long-term plan to reduce the federal deficit. Some programs are exempted from sequestration, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food stamps to low-income people; and the free and reduced school lunch and breakfast programs.

Recently, a reduction in funding for air traffic controllers was rescinded after passengers complained about massive delays at major airports.

Ms. Kelly said her agency has been working since the beginning of sequestration in November 2011 to try to have the senior nutrition programs exempted.

“We believe that if these programs for other vulnerable individuals are exempted, our seniors should be afforded the same protection. We, too, are serving a vulnerable, fragile, isolated, low-income population,” she said.

“From a business case, one thing we know is Meals on Wheels programs provide a huge return on investment because they help seniors remain healthy and in their homes much longer, reduces our long-term care paid through Medicaid or Medicare and trips to the hospital,” Ms. Kelly said.

Massachusetts, which is expected to lose upward of $500,000, fared better than many other states. Most states will see funding reductions for home-delivered meals, commonly known as Meals on Wheels; congregate nutrition services, meals served to seniors at senior centers and other facilities; and the nutrition services incentive program, additional funding or support to purchase food used to serve seniors.

Massachusetts is expected to lose more than $240,000 in funding for the Meals on Wheels program and about $288,000 for the nutrition services incentive program. Massachusetts is, however, among 12 states whose funding for congregate nutrition services will not be cut based upon the OAA funding formula.

Administrators at Tri-Valley Inc. in Dudley, which serves seniors in 25 communities mostly in southern Worcester County; Fitchburg-based Montachusett Opportunity Council Inc., which serves seniors in 21 northern Worcester County communities; and Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc., which serves 15 communities in the central part of the county, said they are not sure what impact the expected budget cuts will have. Most said they expect to learn more in early June.

Lou Swan, executive director of ESWA, said that while he has not yet seen a sequestration-related cut, the agency has not been fully funded for this fiscal year. He said that funds have been awarded to the local agencies “piecemeal ... every two to three months.” He said he's not sure what will happen in the new federal fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

“I don't know if we will be fully funded this year. But the next fiscal year is when the biggest impact will come through. We've been told we need to be prepared for it,” he said.

“If, by the middle of summer, we don't get close to what we received, we'd have to put a cap on the number of people we would be able to serve. We'd have to have a waiting list for Meals on Wheels and look at other cuts as they become necessary,” Mr. Swan said.

Ms. Kelly said some agencies that operate senior nutrition programs were already cash strapped before the threat of sequestration. Many have been forced to reduce staff and hours and cut the number of meals served to seniors.

“Now, we're seeing more and more seniors actually lose services altogether,” she said.

Mr. Swan said ESWA has already begun to make cuts. The agency has three fewer people in the nutrition program since the beginning of the fiscal year. The most significant reduction was the sale of the three vans that were used to transport about 100 seniors in Worcester to the senior center for meals and other activities. Most seniors drive or have other sources of transportation.

Mr. Swan said the agency, which ran a deficit last fiscal year, did not have its $50,000 share of the more than $100,000 annual cost to operate the vans. The city had been funding the remaining $55,700.

Amy Waters, director of Elder Affairs in Worcester, said that since the vans were sold at the end of January, she has worked with the WRTA to transport seniors to and from the senior center. Elder Affairs subsidize the fares. Seniors pay 75 cents each way instead of $2.25, she said.

“The seniors have adjusted to the loss of the nutrition transportation, but it's not easy,” she said. “It's not as friendly as having the same driver pick you up every day and bring you home every day. It's more complicated.”